Yes, we do work. We also take a ton of pics. But you might see as the days progress, there’s more work and less pictures.
Recap of the day
Started out the day with a special inspiring speech from our site manager, Brad. He’s a gifted, charismatic leader, and we pray for him every day. With as much talent and potential, we hope he’s able to use it wisely and can hear the voice of God speak to him.
Here’s a video of his Martin Luther King impression, but more importantly, is the content of how we start our days…
We continued working on the one house, continuing the roof and doing some interior work, but we also continued to divide our forces, working on another house’s subfloor preparation, as well as some significant framing of a third house with Spikes
Jonathan, one of the main videographers, was rolling around on the subfloor (ground) to do some work today, his shirt got quite a bit dirty..
The framing continued now that the subfloor had been built on Spike’s house (next door). A few of the exterior walls were raised.
We ended the day with an off-site dinner just for our team. It was a nice time to get away for a bit just as a team, and the steaks and seafood at Taranto’s was superb. We had planned to pay for it out of our own pockets, but when the bill came, Tommy surprised by treating us to dinner.
End of Day
We ended the day with a devotional teaching back at Camp Victor, with a brief teaching by Keith. His words inspired us to keep the focus on God doing work through us. Not just amazing things that happened to us during this trip, not just how we were able to work well under sometime challenging situations, but how to give credit, honor and glory to God for making all these things possible. It’s simple, but it’s good to be reminded of such things, whether at home or on the road.
Kaji (Brent), treated our team, Lifesong and all the other guests at Camp Victor, to ice cream drumsticks. Partially at the urging of two friends back at church, Kaji wanted another way to bless those we share quarters with, and specifically, team member Roy N. Last year, at this time, we had gotten him ice cream treats in lieu of a birthday cake that we were trying to hunt down. This was just a way to remind “Uncle” Roy that he’s special to us, regardless if it falls on his birthdya or not. It’s kind of Brent to share his generosity and our celebration with all the other guests as well.
Mandarin Church – Not sure if we told you, but last year, and this one as well, we have volunteered at the same time at the same place as this church. That’s not even mentioning the irony that they are called “Mandarin” and we are mostly Asian… 🙂 It’s rather providential that both our churches, without planning have bumped into each other to serve the same cause. Twice in a row.
We have no idea if our paths will pass again, but we have enjoyed sharing meals with them as we shared living quarters and faith with them. They joined us for devotionals and worship. It really was a nice experience for us.
Tonight, during our devotional time, a member of MUMC sat in with us, specifically waiting patiently to tell us the following:
Because they leave early tomorrow morning, they wanted to make sure to tell us that even though we may not cross paths again in this life, they all have really enjoyed the camaraderie we share…with them
When he started about the “camaraderie,” I thought it would be the camaraderie of our team. But this was even more true and humbling. It is true, we did share much with these almost-strangers, almost-friends. We have met with a similar objective, with a similar motivation. We both wanted to help rebuild the homes of people we will never see, all because we wanted to serve our God and those He loves.
That’s it, plain and simple. And that brought a group of men from California, and a group of kind Floridians from the church that sounds Asian, together. We thank them and God for letting us have this time. Perhaps there will be a time in heaven when we will recount how good it was to meet each other the first time, while serving in Mississippi.
Enjoy the slideshow